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LONDON — Demonstrations across the United Kingdom have intensified over the government’s use of hotels to house asylum seekers, with counter-protests emerging in response to rising anti-migrant sentiment.
Protesters aligned with the “Abolish Asylum System” movement gathered in over 30 towns and cities, including Bristol, Liverpool, Perth, and Horley, voicing opposition to the continued use of hotels for migrant accommodation. Counter-demonstrators, organized by groups such as Stand Up to Racism, rallied nearby, advocating for refugee rights and denouncing xenophobia.
The UK government is legally required to provide housing for asylum seekers. While hotels were a minor component of the system prior to 2020, a sharp increase in asylum applications during the pandemic prompted the Conservative-led administration to expand hotel use as a temporary measure.
Recent incidents, including criminal allegations involving asylum seekers, have fueled public debate and led to legal challenges. In Epping, Essex, a High Court injunction temporarily halted migrant accommodation at the Bell Hotel, prompting government appeals and further protests.
Labour, now in power, has pledged to phase out hotel use by 2029 and reform the asylum appeals process to reduce backlogs and costs. Meanwhile, tensions remain high, with police reporting multiple arrests and disturbances during weekend demonstrations.
